Should grazing allotments be eliminated to conserve bighorn sheep in Idaho?

1. Should grazing allotments be eliminated to conserve bighorn sheep in Idaho? Nathan Jasper, Tara McClymonds, Jasmine Williams i.livescience.com

2. The Payette National Forest covers approximately 2.3 million acres in Idaho. Contains the Salmon and Snake River systems Important socio-economic area ~300 terrestrial species Grazing allotments for domestic sheep have been in place since the early 1900’s Background http://www.flickr.com/photos/29447679@N02/2882726056

4. Background • Historically thousands of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) found in both Hell’s Canyon and Salmon River drainages (Shackleton 1999) • Hells Canyon population extirpated by 1940’s • 474 bighorn sheep reintroduced from 1971-2004 • Current estimated population is ~1500 in the PNF, a 47% decrease since 1981 • Main cause of population reduction is believed to be fatal pneumonia transmitted by domestic sheep • Under the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) and Record of Decision (ROD). The amount of grazing allotments will be reduced by roughly 70%

5. Position Statement • We believe that the current management plan (Alternative 7O) which reduces grazing allotments to a level that would no longer be economically feasible is unlikely to resolve bighorn sheep decline in the Payette National Forest and is likely to cause undue economic loss and hardship for Idaho’s sheep herding industry. Further research is required to understand the issue of bighorn sheep decline and further alternatives should be considered. Any management actions must also coincide with current legislative agreements.

6. Biological issues Bronchopneumonia in bighorn sheep is usually associated with bacteria of the genera Pasteurella or Mannheimia Scientific literature supports a strong correlation between disease transmission and contact with domestic sheep (Lawerence et al. 2010) Knowledge of transmission dynamics are virtually unknown FSEIS assumes that disease transmission between the two species is occuring

7. There are also many other known carriers of the bacteria including bighorn sheep It is possible that Pasteurella can become endemic to a bighorn sheep population and continue to cycle within the population for decades (Monello et al. 2001) Eliminating the risk of contact with domestic sheep herds does not necessarily reduce the risk of disease transmission overcrowding, human encroachment, loss of escape cover, heavy snowfall, inbreeding, and predation can also effect bighorn sheep survival (Bunch et al. 1999) Actions taken now would be based on a limited and incomplete understanding of the actual problem Biological issues

8. Value of Sheep Industry to Idaho • USDA Statistical Services: Idaho, 2007 220 thousand lambs were produced or $19 million Wool production approximately 1.9 million pounds (O’Laughlin et al.) • Idaho sheep production dependent on USFS grazing allotments Lands cannot be substituted Exceed ranchers income

9. Value of Sheep Industry to Idaho • Closure will result in economic loss for Idaho communities • “Buy Idaho”? Industry will move to other countries: New Zealand, Australia, Argentina (O’Laughlin et al.)

10. Our Idaho Neighbors • Sensitivity to our neighbors Legal documents do not capture personal and family sacrifices • Anthropogenic alteration of landscape Without revenue ranches will reach tipping point Expected subdivision and urbanization of grasslands • Real estate market influence on Payette NF Loss of open space adjacent to Payette NF Serious impacts on wildlife, including bighorn Sheep (O’Laughlin et al)

11. Violation of the Law • Multiple-Use Sustained Yield Act (MUSYA) Mayers et al. National Forests are administered for multiple use including management of wildlife and range Excluding allotments is not managing multiple use • National Forest Management Act (NFMA) Mayers et al. National Forest must coordinate with multiple use and the products and services obtained there from Wildlife viability is not USFS only consideration

12. Violation of the Law • Hells Canyon National Recreation Area Act (HCNRA) (Mayers and Irvine, 2010) Grazing recognized as traditional and valid use of recreation PNF does not have the authority to deny this recreation use without illustrating that livestock is incompatible with wildlife habitat PNF must first modify and mitigate livestock use before elimination

13. Violation of the Law • Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) (Mayers and Irvine 2010) Reasonable compensation required to be provided to permittees for loss of grazing acreage on forest Unless emergency no permit shall be cancelled without 2 years notification ROD does not give 2 year notification

14. Violation of the Law • USFS Open Space Conservation Strategy (Mayers and Irvine, 2010) Goal to conserve open space, assist to help sustain existing forest based markets, help public land ranchers maintain viable ranching businesses Elimination of allotments will potentially result in loss of open space with drastic effect on wildlife

15. Hells Canyon Initiative, 1997 (Mayers and Irvine, 2010) • Bighorn project introduced to Idaho, Washington, Oregon • March 1997, agreement signed with Idaho Woolgrowers Association and project committee Acknowledge bighorn could contact domestic sheep causing disease and death of bighorn Wildlife agencies assume responsibility of losses and responsible to take action WITHOUT adversely impacting existing domestic sheep operators • Eliminating allotments is a breach of agreement

16. Logistical issues Is it possible to completely eliminate all contact between bighorn and domestic sheep?(Mayers and Irvine 2010) Contact can still happen in surrounding areas Qwickstep.com

17. Summary The decline of the bighorn sheep population in Idaho should not be based exclusively on the disease being transmitted from domestic sheep because there are too many unknown variables. The removal of domestic sheep grazing on federal lands will cause drastic and dramatic changes to the local economies, and will not completely remove contact between domestic and bighorn sheep. If the goal is to stop the spread of bacterial pneumonia there are more effective and productive alternatives that should be pursued.

18. Alternatives • Big Assumptions:(Mayers and Irvine, 2010) “If we reduce grazing allotments then…” • Reduce contact • Reduce the spread of the pneumonia. Instead reduce a smaller amount of grazing allotments then test the difference. Free-Extras.com

19. Alternatives • Improve the bighorn’s health (Mayers and Irvine, 2010) • Immune system • Vaccines • Nutritional supplements • Grazing required by: • National Environmental Policy ActNEPA • Multiple-Use Sustained-Yield Act (MUSYA) • National Forest Management Act (NFMA) • Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) • These acts require management that promote grazing (Mayers and Irvine 2010)

20. References Akenson J., H. Akenson, and H. Quihley., 2005. Effects of Wolf Reintroduction on a Gougar Population in the Central Idaho Wilderness. Proceedings of the Eighth Mtn. Lion Workshop, Leavenworth, Washington. In press. Barker, E., July 28 2010. Domestic grazing decision concerns ranchers: Longtime sheep ranchers near Riggins says nearly 70 percent reduction will put him out of business. The Lewiston Morning Tribune. In press. Barker, E., March 62009. Bighorn battle could doom sheep ranchers. The Lewiston Morning Tribune. In press. Berger, J. 1990. Persistence of Different-Sized Populations: An Empirical Assessment of Rapid Extinction Assessment of Rapid Extinctions in Bighorn Sheep. Conservation Biology. 4 91-98 Bunch, T. D., W. M. Boyce, C. P. Hibler, W. R. Lance, T. R. Spraker, E. S. Williams. 1999. Diseases of North American wild sheep. Pages 209237. Mountain sheep of North America. University of Arizona Press, Tucson. Cole, K., October 9 2010. Sheep link to bighorn illness adds to grazing controversy. BLM reviewing sheep allotments within 30 miles of bighorn populations. The Wildlife News. In press. Ellis, Steven. 2010. “Payette Forest Plan SEIS Compatibility with HCNRA Act." Web. 28 Nov. 2010. http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/payette/publications/big_horn/MOU_LTRS/HCNRAcompltr.pdf Garica, R. R., F. J. Ocharan, U. Garcia. K. Osoro. and R. Celaya. 2010. Arthropod fauna on grassland-heath land associations under different grazing managements with domestic ruminants. ComptesRendusBiologies. 333:226-234 Lawrence, P. K., S. Shanthalingam, R. P. Dassanayake, R. Subramaniam, C. N. Herndon, D. P. Knowles, F. R. Rurangirwa, W. J. Foreyt. G. Wayman, A. M. Marciel, S. K. Highlander, and S. Srikumaniam, 2010. Transmission of MannheimiaHaemolytica From Domestic Sheep (Ovis Aries) to Bighorn Sheep (Ovis Canadensis): Unequivocal Demonstration With Green Fluorecent Protein-Tagged Organisms. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 46, 706-717 McKinney, T. T. W. Smith, and J. C. deVos. 2010. Evaluation of Factors Potentially Influencinga Desert Bighorn Sheep Population. Wildlife Monographs. 164: 1-36 Monello, R. J., D. L. Murray, and E. F. Cassirer. 2001. Ecological correlates of pneumonia epizootics in bighorn sheep populations. Pages 1423–1432. Canadian Journal of Zoology (79). O'Laughlin, Jay, and Phillip Cook. "Bighorn Sheep and Domestic Sheep: Current Situation in Idaho." Policy Analysis College of Natural Resources. University of Idaho. Web. 28 Nov. 2010. http://www.cnrhome.uidaho.edu/documents/BHS-DS_1-29-10.pdf?pid=118586&doc=1 Mayers, W. G., and A. A. Irvine. 2010. Appeal to the Regional Forester USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region. IWGA Notice of Appeal. Wehausen, J. D. 1998. Nelson Bighorn Sheep. Management Status. Federal. California. In press. Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Working Group. 2004."Initial SubcommitteRecommentdations for Domestic Sheep and Goat Managment in Wild Sheep Habitat." Payette National Forest Publiciations. Payette National Forest.

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